2025-2026 Pay and Funding campaign

Get Ballot Ready!

On 28 February the NEU will begin parallel online indicative ballots for teachers and support staff across all state-funded schools and academies in England, taking the argument for better pay and funding to government, to parents and the profession.

Why ballot?

The government has proposed:

an unfunded 6.5 per cent pay rise spread over the next three years, unlikely to match inflation.
to get rid of the 1,265 working hours directed time limit, the only contractual protection on workload.

The historic decline in real-terms pay and loosening rules around workload will do nothing to address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

To make sure you can take part, check your myNEU details are correct.

Teacher members will be asked:

1. Do you reject the proposal of an unfunded 6.5 per cent increase over three years for teacher pay?

2. Are you prepared to take industrial action to win sufficient funding to secure an above inflation pay increase, reduce workload and defend existing directed time provisions, including the 1,265 hours limit?

The executive recommends a YES vote to both questions.

A high turnout and an overwhelming YES vote will press the government to take meaningful action to Save Education.

Speak to your NEU rep about how you can help them prepare for the indicative ballot and become a Save Education volunteer.

Find out more here: https://neu.org.uk/campaigns/save-education